PRACTICE CANCELLED, MASSIVE STORM ROLLS THROUGH......

The massive thunderstorm that knocked out power to thousands of Richmond-area residents early Saturday afternoon also nixed the scheduled 2pm practice today at Bon Secours Washington Redskins Training Center.

The storm arrived about 10-15 minutes before practice time, with some players having already come out to the practice field, and another throng of thousands gathered around the surface to watch the action.

This would have been the Redskins' first practice since their 22-21 win over Tennessee in Nashville in their preseason opener Thursday night.

Though lightning was intense and thousands were outside, people took shelter quickly and there were no reports of incidents or injuries.

SATURDAY: WEATHER

A big storm threatening 2pm practice at Bon Secours Washington Redskins Training Center.  We'll keep you posted on Facebook and Twitter....

Preseason Football Week 1: Washington 22, Tennessee 21

Few have been impressed by any showing by 4th string quarterback Pat White of West Virginia so far at the Bon Secours Washington Redskins Training Center.

The residents of Nashville, Tennessee saw a different Pat White in their fair city as he led the Redskins on the winning drive, running for a touchdown and passing for the winning two-point conversation as the Redskins upended the Titans in the preseason opener for both teams, 22-21.

White led the Redskins on an 80-yard drive to score the winning TD/2-pointer with 2:23 to go, but had lady luck on their side, as a fumble in the end zone after a White pass recovered by Tennessee was nullified after a roughing the passer penalty on the Titans.

Evan Royster and Roy Helu, Jr. both had strong showings as they fight to get behind Alfred Morris on the depth chart. Morris did not play, while Royster rushed 14 times for 62 yards, Helu, Jr 13 times for 57 yards.

Kirk Cousins started as the Redskins began their planned "RGIII-Less Preseason", going 6-of-7 for 52 yards and a touchdown pass to the returning tight end Fred Davis to open the scoring.

Washington (1-0) returns to Richmond Friday and hit the practice field at the Bon Secours Washington Redskins Training Center on Saturday at 1pm.....

TUESDAY: Eventful Day, Both On and Off The Field....

Their last day in Richmond before heading off to their preseason opener was nothing if not eventful.  The Washington Redskins spent the morning in the Greater Richmond Convention Center, seeking refuge from the morning rain, which, in turn, wreaked more havoc on the fields at the Bon Secours Washington Redskins Training Center.

Twitter was abuzz with warnings (again) telling people if they were heading to watch afternoon practice to make sure they don't wear their best pair of shoes. Boots may have been a better option.

Head Coach Mike Shanahan was absent from practice today as he attended the funeral of a close friend. But present on the Leigh Street campus was Redskins owner Dan Snyder and Redskins Hall of Fame running back John Riggins.

The team released its first depth chart Monday, with Santana Moss, veteran leader of the wide receiving corps, home to some of the fiercest competition in camp, listed with the third team. But word is don't expect that to stay that way, and that Moss is in good shape to be on the field for their Monday Night Football opener against Philadelphia, who, embroiled in their own camp of scandal and injury, welcomed wide receiver Riley Cooper back to practice today after time in counseling after racial comments were heard from him at a recent concert.

The Redskins fly to Nashville on Wednesday and open preseason play Thursday night against the Tennessee Titans.  The game will be broadcast locally on Fox Richmond, the new home of Redskins preseason games after several years on WRIC-TV8.  They return to the practice field in RVA on Saturday for a 1pm practice. No walkthrough on Saturday morning.

Fan Appreciation Day: RGIII---Class Act

It must be stated here. Robert Griffin III ran out onto the practice facility at the Bon Secours Washington Redskins Training Center today for Fan Appreciation Day, ran the perimeter of the field to slap the hand of all the assembled Redskins faithful who arrived early enough for a front row view behind the ropes, then stayed so long after practice signing autographs, he was the last one on the field.

Then, after all that in the Richmond heat, he took time to tweet the following:

@RGIII--"Thanks for all the support out there at practice today #HTTR #YouAreAppreciated".

For a guy barely older than most recent college graduates?  This is first class class.

The Redskins are blessed to have him.  Keep those knee braces in perfect working condition.

FAN APPRECIATION DAY PREVIEW!!!

Tomorrow, Saturday August 3rd, has been expected to be, by far, the most-attended day at Training Camp at the Bon Secours Washington Redskins Training Center.

The Redskins bring their annual tradition, "Fan Appreciation Day" to Richmond, and here is what to expect:

1) Last year, 25,000 fans came to the event at Redskins Park in Ashburn near Dulles Airport.  Richmond officials and the team are expecting at least that many fans here in RVA Saturday.

2) Gates will open Saturday morning at 9am at Bon Secours Washington Redskins Training Center.

3) Remember that there are changes to where parking is available. The City Stadium shuttle system will not be available Saturday, but thousands of parking spaces at two VCU parking decks WILL be.  There are costs involved and shuttles to take you from those decks to the Training Center.

The BEST advice is to RESERVE a parking space by using THIS LINK, provided by the City of Richmond.  Select Bon Secours Washington Redskins Training Center on the first page and follow directions.

4) The team will come on the field around 12noon and will spend that hour signing autographs, interacting with the fans.

5) The team's one practice will begin promptly at 1pm and last around two hours.

6) The 3pm hour, the part not dedicated to practice, will be dedicated to more fan autographs and interaction.

7) Wear comfortable shoes and do NOT wear shoes that get wet or muddy easily.  The Redskins brought in a helicopter this morning to help dry the fields before walkthrough.  Expect some sogginess on the field tomorrow as well, so don't wear those shoes that you really, really love.

8) BRING A SHARPIE!  When seeking autographs, it is ALWAYS advised that you have a writing utensil at the ready, and Sharpies are you best bet so the autograph can be signed on a poster, shirt, or various surfaces.

9) If you collect football cards, always try to bring a card of a player IN a Redskins uniform.  ONLY bring cards of players on their past teams if a new card of them with the Redskins isn't available yet (for example, veterans Devery Henderson, Donte Stallworth and newly-signed Nick Barnett have cards in 2012 and before when with other teams, but 2013 cards aren't widely available yet).  For example, we wouldn't suggest asking Pierre Garcon to sign a card from his days in Indianapolis.  Go with a poster or clothing item instead.  Some players don't mind signing older football cards, while others do.

REMEMBER: If you can't get to Fan Appreciation Day, the Redskins will continue to practice at the Bon Secours Washington Redskins Training Center most days through August 16th.  The team will not practice this coming Wednesday or Friday, August 7th and 9th, as they'll be traveling to and from Nashville where, on Thursday August 8th, they'll play their preseason opener against the Tennessee Titans.

So, the following days will see practices in Richmond:

August 5th, 6th, 10th
August 12th through 16th.

There are changes to their daily routine schedule on some of those days, especially during the last week of practice. Check the schedule at this link.

Redskins Open Arms to High School Coaches

Over 250 high school coaches from the Mid-Atlantic, including many from the Richmond area, attended a special camp, as well as regular training camp activities, at the Bon Secours Washington Redskins Training Center on Wednesday.

Shanahan noted he is happy to have the coaches be a part of Redskins practice, hoping they will learn about schemes and plays they see that can be adapted and used by their high school teams. Shanahan also expresses his deep understanding of the impact high school coaching staffs have on thousands of young men across America each year.

For a complete report on the event, click HERE to see Redskins.com coverage, and THANK YOU to Mike Shanahan and the Redskins for their support of high school athletics!